Improvement in peops foe caeeiage tops



C. R ABBOTT.

Carriage-Top Prop.

PatentedMay 28, 1867.

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CHARLES R. ABBOT, OF ELMIRA NEW YORK.

Letters Patent No. 65,150, dated 28, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROPS FOR CARRIAGE TOPS.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN;

Be it known that I, CHARLES R. ABBOT, of Elmira, in the county of Chemung, and in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Props for Carriage Tops; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

Figure-1 is a perspective View, and

Figure 2 a vertical section of the mode in which I prefer to make my improved prop.

'Figures 3 and 4 are similar views of a variation in my mode of forming the prop.

My invention consists in making the shank of the carriage-top prop in two pieces lapping past each other, the lower part being very short, so as to allow the leather to be put over it without wrinkling, as will hereinafter appear.

A represents the plate, which is fastened by screws to the frame of the top. B is the lower half of the shank, projecting outwardly from plate A, to which it is cast or riveted. The length of this part B is just a little greater than its diameter, and it is bevelled off, as shown in fig. 2. B is the upper part of the shank, having a knob, a, formed on its outer end, and being of a suflicieut length to serve as the bearing for the ribs of the top. Its lower end is bevelled off so as to make a lap-joint with the lower part B. C is the finishingferrule, which encloses part Bond a portion of part B, and which rests upon and presses down the leather 0. D is a screw, passin'g'through the ferrule C and the two parts B and B where they meet, thus fastening those three pieces together as firmly as one.

In the ordinary prop, with the shank in one long piece, it is impossible for the trimmer to neatly and smoothly fit the leather, because the leather has to be considerably stretched in order to pass it over the prop.

In my invention thelowerhalf of the prop is so short, and bevelled on one side, that the leather can be put over it without any perceptible stretching, thus enabling the workman to make a neater job. The knob, too, being fast to the shank, cannot turn and unscrew. This mode of forming the prop is better and cheaper than any known to me.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the shank in two parts, 13 and B, and with the ferrule C, but without the screw D.

There-are several notches and tongues, 0, formed du the lap surfaces of the parts 13 and B, so as to prevent the upper part from pulling away from the lower part. 1) o are two small studs on the plate, passing up through the leather, and taking in corresponding holes in the bottom of the ferrule C to prevent its turning. The knob z' of this prop is screwed upon the shank.

The operation is the same as in the other 'prop, shown in figs. 1 and 2, so .far as putting 'on the leather is concerned. After the leather is fitted the part B is applied to part B. The ferrule is then slipped ovcr; the

There are various modes in which the two-part shank may be made. I have described the two best known to me. i 1

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The shank B B, when made in two parts, and constructed and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The shank B B, in combination with plate A, ferrule C, and screw D, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. Securing the shank B B and ferrule C together by means of tongue and groove 0 and pins and holes 12, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. v

In testimony that I claim the above-described.invention I have hereunto signed my name this 20th day of February, 1867.

CHARLES R. ABBOT.

Witnesses:

T. G. CLAYTON, Jo. 0. CLAYTON- 

